Conscription Soldier Kills Convenience Store Worker in Trang

Pictures courtesy of Naewna

A 27-year-old convenience store employee was shot dead in Trang province after an altercation outside a nightclub in the early hours of Saturday, December 27, 2025, causing shock and concern among local residents. The victim later died at Trang Hospital after being shot at close range in the head, with police describing the incident as a serious act of violent crime in a public place.

Police said the shooting occurred at around 2.20am in a car park beside a well-known entertainment venue on the Trang–Phatthalung road in Thap Thiang subdistrict, Muang district. Investigators reported signs of a struggle at the scene, including bloodstains and the victim’s shoes left near the car park.

The deceased was identified as Mr Latthaphon, also known as “Ball”, aged 27, who worked at a convenience store. He was shot once in the head with a short-barrelled, locally made shotgun. The suspect, Mr Singha, also known as “Sing Lamphae”, aged 23, is a conscription soldier attached to the 15th Infantry Regiment, 4th Battalion.

According to police, the suspect fled immediately after the shooting but later surrendered to officers the same morning, handing over the firearm used in the attack. He was taken into custody by investigators at Muang Trang Police Station.

The victim’s 25-year-old girlfriend told police that she, the victim and a group of nine friends had been socialising at the venue earlier that night. As they were leaving, some of their friends became involved in a verbal argument with the suspect’s group.

She said her boyfriend approached the situation to see what was happening but was accused by the suspect’s group of staring at them. Despite denying any provocation, the victim was allegedly surrounded and assaulted before Mr Singha drew a gun and shot him in the head in front of her. She stated that neither she nor the victim had any prior relationship or dispute with the suspect.

Police noted that the conflict may have stemmed from earlier disagreements between other members of the two groups. Background checks showed the victim had previously been arrested on a drug-related charge at the age of 15, while the suspect had been arrested in 2022 for carrying a weapon in a public place.

Naewna reported that investigators was initially charged Mr Singha with attempted murder, which police said would now be upgraded to murder, as well as illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition and carrying a weapon in a public place without justification. He remains in custody as legal proceedings continue.

Key Takeaways

• A 27-year-old convenience store worker was shot dead outside a nightclub in Trang on December 27, 2025.

• The suspect, a 23-year-old conscription soldier, surrendered with the firearm later the same day.

• Police have filed multiple serious charges, including murder and illegal firearm possession.

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 Adapted by Asean Now from Naewna 2025-12-28